by Eowyn Ivey
Eowyn Ivey's 'The Snow Child' offers readers a captivating journey into the untamed landscapes of early American expansion in Alaska, where the harsh and magical elements of frontier living in the 1920s come to life. The contrast between the romanticized ideal and the gritty reality of this wilderness is skillfully portrayed through the trials and tribulations of the main characters, Mabel and Jack. As a native of Alaska, Ivey's personal connection to the land shines through, reminding us that, despite modern conveniences, Mother Nature still reigns supreme in this unforgiving setting.
The narrative beautifully weaves together themes of hope, longing, and healing while embracing life's challenges in the Alaskan wilds. Mabel and Jack's life together did not go as planned, burying their stillborn child, never to conceive again. The Snow Child will show you how their unexpected magical encounter with a young girl illuminates the good they still have in their lives, even as they lose sight of the treasures they possess.
In a rare moment of pure, unadulterated joy, Mabel and Jack have a snowball fight, which turns into the creation of a snowman or, rather, a snowgirl. When the snowgirl disappears overnight and is replaced with sightings of a young girl in the forest adorned with the mittens and scarf they carefully placed on the snowgirl, with the face Jack crafted so artfully, hope and purpose slowly return to their lives.
This moment of creation born from longing to love a child comes from the Russian fairy tale, The Snow Maiden. Mabel knows this story; her father read it to her many times as a child. It isn't until later that she discovers many versions of this tale, all ending in heartache.
This story is no different, but with death, there is life. The story takes on naturalism alongside the myth in a poignant way that will leave you with a smile even as the tears roll down.
“The exact science of one molecule transformed into another -- that Mabel could not explain, but then again she couldn't explain how a fetus formed in the womb, cells becoming beating heart and hoping soul. She could not fathom the hexagonal miracle of snowflakes formed from clouds, crystallized fern and feather that tumble down to light on a coat sleeve, white stars melting even as they strike.
How did such force and beauty come to be in something so small and fleeting and unknowable?”
The snowgirl, Faina, is a creature of the snow-laden country that brings the glowing heat of affection and light of love into the frigid and dark Alaskan winters. Faina never stays through the Spring and Summer, affirming Mabel's belief that she is the Snow Maiden from the tale. Jack learns the truth of her origins as an orphan, even helping her to bury her father. Faina shares her knowledge of the land with Jack and Mabel, who share their love and comfort with her. This symbiotic relationship challenges Mabel's desire to hold and keep the girl safe, send her to school, make her dresses, and be the daughter she never had. It challenges Jack's stoic practicality in the face of the unthinkable: a young girl living and thriving independently in the severe wilds of Alaska. It challenges Faina's fiercely capable and independent nature with the desire for connection and love.
'The Snow Child' is a vivid and unforgettable tale that lingers in the mind and heart. It seamlessly blends relatable human experiences with a world few could imagine. Ivey's storytelling is unexpected and timeless, making this novel an absolute pleasure to read. It resonates with readers on many levels and offers a fresh perspective on a story as old as time itself.
"I guess maybe I don't want to be warm and safe. I want to live."
Discover more about the author: Eowyn Ivey
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